"I know, Jarge. That's why I say I wisht I was a boy."
George grew thoughtful. "Of course, though, Rosie, I wouldn't have blamed the little lady in the car if she had poked her hatpin into that fellow. It's all right for a lady to do anything in self-defence."
In Rosie's face a sudden interest gathered. "Ain't it unladylike, Jarge, if it's in self-defence?"
George answered emphatically: "Of course not—not if it's in self-defence."
He would have said more but Terence interrupted: "What's the matter, Rosie? Any one been teasing you?"
Rosie answered quickly, almost too quickly: "Oh, no, no! I was just a-talkin' to Jarge——"
"Well, just stop yir talkin' and be off wid yez to school! Do ye hear me now, all o' yez!" Mrs. O'Brien opened the kitchen door and, raising her apron aloft, drove them out with a "Shoo!" as though they were so many chickens.
CHAPTER II
THE SCHNITZER
"Tell me now, Rosie, are you having any trouble with your papers?" Terence asked this as he and Rosie and little Jack started off for school.